Professional Social Work: research perspectives

Abstract

Research has been a crucial component of professional social work education mid practice right from the beginning. There are a large number of pre-doctoral (M.PhD) mid doctoral (Ph.D) students pursuing their valuable researches on many vital aspects that have direct practical implications for the profession, for policy makers and for service providers. Apart from that, the social work faculty members are also engaged in research in different forms. With the mushrooming of social work schools and departments in colleges mid universities, the quantum of research output is rather mind-boggling. While it is good to see the 'research orientation' of social workers, the sad reality is that most of the research contributions of social workers are purely 'academic' and quantitalive in nature. Qualitative research is the need of the hour. This is a volume of research papers by social work educators, students, practitioners and researchers report on innovative and evidence-based research outcomes, both from the field and practice.